Gudi Padwa is the first day of Chaitra and the Marathi new year. At sunrise a gudi is raised outside the house: a long bamboo with a bright silk cloth tied at the top, a garland of flowers, mango and neem leaves and a string of sugar sweets, crowned with an upturned copper or silver pot. It is one of the three and a half most auspicious days of the Marathi calendar.
The story
The gudi is a banner of victory. Some say it is Brahma's flag, raised on the day he made the world; some, the flag Ayodhya flew when Rama returned; and many in Maharashtra say it marks the victory of the Shalivahana king, from whom the Shaka era used in the Marathi almanac is counted.
Padwa is the first day of a fortnight. The year begins with a bitter mouthful: tender neem leaves ground with jaggery, cumin and a little tamarind.
गुढीपाडव्याच्या आणि नववर्षाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा
Warm wishes for Gudi Padwa and the new year
The greeting of the day
How the day goes
- Raising the gudiAfter an oil bath, on the right of the main door, where it can be seen from the street. It is taken down before sunset.
- Neem and jaggeryEaten first thing, for health through the summer.
- RangoliLarge rangolis are drawn at the doorstep and, in the cities, across whole streets.
- Shobha yatraProcessions in nauvari saris and pheta turbans, with dhol-tasha troupes and lezim.
- Shrikhand-puriThe meal of the day, with puran poli.
Why this date
Gudi Padwa is the Pratipada of the bright half of Chaitra, on the day it is present at sunrise. The Shalivahana Shaka year changes on this day.
Gudi Padwa in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sunday | |
| 2026 | Thursday | |
| 2027 | Wednesday | |
| 2028 | Monday | |
| 2029 | Saturday | |
| 2030 | Wednesday |
More Marathi festivals
26 MarchRam Navamiश्रीराम नवमी
4 MarchHoli and Dhulivandanहोळी · धूलिवंदन
2 AprilHanuman Jayantiहनुमान जयंती
15 FebruaryMaha Shivaratriमहाशिवरात्री
25 JanuaryRatha Saptamiरथसप्तमी
19 AprilAkshaya Tritiyaअक्षय्य तृतीया
Where to see Gudi Padwa
In Maharashtra
- Girgaon, MumbaiMaharashtraThe best-known new year procession, through the old Marathi neighbourhood.
- DombivliMaharashtraWhere the modern custom of the new year shobha yatra began in 1999.
- PuneMaharashtraDhol-tasha troupes in the old peths, and gudis on the wadas.
Across India
- HyderabadTelanganaThe same morning is Ugadi, with its dish of six tastes.
- MysuruKarnatakaYugadi, the Kannada new year, begun with neem and jaggery.
- AyodhyaUttar PradeshThe spring Navratri begins, ending on Rama's birthday.